History

The Australian Society for Music Education (ASME) was established in 1967. Its establishment followed discussions between nationwide representatives after the successful UNESCO Conference on Music Education held in Sydney in July 1965. The purpose of ASME is to encourage and advance music education at all levels as an integral part of general education and community life, and as a profession within the broad field of music.

Aims and Objectives

 ASME exists:

• to support the right of every person to a musical education

• to promote quality music education

• to assist music educators to develop and extend their professional awareness of the whole spectrum of music education at a local, national and international levels

• to maintain and develop the status of music

• to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas

• to encourage Australian music and composers

• to develop teaching methods relevant to Australian students in all contexts. ASME's aims are implemented by such means as:

• publishing The Australian Journal of Music Education, ASME Update, Chapter Newsletters and Journals, reports of ASME conferences and other relevant publications

• organising conferences, lectures, seminars and workshops at both national and Chapter levels

• encouraging increased involvement in music and music education by ASME members and students

• establishing and promoting liaison between music educators at all levels - within each Chapter, across Chapters, and in other countries

• co-operating with all music organisations, with other official bodies representing other fields of education, and with those responsible for administration at all levels of education throughout the nation.

ASME is Australia's only affiliate organisation of the International Society for Music Education (ISME), which exists under the auspices of UNESCO's Music Council. ASME also represents music education on the National Affiliation of Arts Educators (NAAE).

As an Australia-wide organisation, ASME operates under a National Executive and representative National Council who work through Chapters in all of Australia's States and Territories.

At the State and Territory levels, ASME is represented by Chapter Councils which include the positions of Chapter Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, as well as non-office bearing Chapter Council members. All ASME personnel work in an honorary capacity.

At the National and Chapter levels, ASME represents music education in its broadest sense.